Chicago Blues Festival

Chicago is home to the largest free blues festival in the world and this much-anticipated event draws fans from all over the world to experience the influential art form that was nurtured in the city. The Chicago Blues Festival returns to Millennium Park from June 5-8, 2025.

Chicago Blues Fest courtesy of Verbs & Vision Media

This free festival showcases the range and variations of blues with over 35 performances for four days in Millennium Park and at special shows across the city.

The year’s opening night on June 5 will feature engaging blues panel discussions and a double bill concert at Ramova Theatre,3520 S. Halsted. Listen to blues musicians and experts discuss the blues scene during the Living Blues Magazine panel discussion from 4-5 pm and hear blues icon Bobby Rush explore his fascinating life and career from 5:30-6:30 pm.

Billy Branch photo courtesy of Alligator

The thrilling opening night concert will spotlight master harmonica player Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues as well as Bobby Rush. The event is free and first-come, first-served; it’s a standing event with some seating.. Reservations are encouraged here.

Other highlights include young blues guitar star Kingfish Ingram, Eddie Cotton and the Mike Wheeler Band on June 6, John Primer, Theo Huff and a special women of the blues tribute on June 7 and Mavis Staples, Lurrie Bell and a tribute to Chess Records on June 8.

The Chicago Blues Festival runs from 4-11 pm on June 5 and from noon to 9 pm on June 6-8. View the full schedule here.